INVESTMENT FIRMS EYE BJ'S AS NEXT ACQUISITION TARGET

NATICK, Mass. - BJ's Wholesale Club here has become a target of leveraged buyout firms, as several heavy hitters within the investment and real estate sectors have been conducting extensive due diligence on the No. 3 warehouse club operator.Industry sources said private equity firms Bain Capital Partners and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. are in discussions with real estate firm Vornado Realty Trust

NATICK, Mass. - BJ's Wholesale Club here has become a target of leveraged buyout firms, as several heavy hitters within the investment and real estate sectors have been conducting extensive due diligence on the No. 3 warehouse club operator.

Industry sources said private equity firms Bain Capital Partners and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. are in discussions with real estate firm Vornado Realty Trust over a joint bid for BJ's. The three are said to have been circling BJ's since bef